Jack’s Guide To Healthy Eating & A Low-Fat Pasta Recipe!
How Long Does Pasta Last In The Fridge?
Do you enjoy making more spaghetti than you can possibly consume? If so, you’ll need to know how long pasta keeps in the refrigerator.
I genuinely love spaghetti! Possibly due to my Italian ancestry, but the sight of spaghetti makes me shiver all over! A kid experiences this when they obtain a new toy! utter delight!
People often wonder how I can consume so much pasta since it is considered to be so harmful. I then question them, “Is that actually the case?” Is spaghetti really that bad for you?
Italians have been eating pasta for hundreds of years, and they are not known for having obesity or other health problems. However, a lot of researchers and nutritionists hold pasta responsible for the rise in obesity. The truth, where is it? Continue reading to discover out.
However, the duration of pasta’s shelf life in the refrigerator is my major concern for the day, not whether it is good or unhealthy. I’ve already decided that I’ll never give up eating pasta!
Healthy Or Not? Pasta Analyzed
Pasta is mostly made up of processed carbohydrates, and this is the main reason why people consider it to be so problematic. If you have to mind your weight, almost no one will recommend eating pasta as it is believed to add pounds as well.
However, if you love pasta as much as I do, you will try to find as many reasons why you should eat pasta, and believe it or not, you will be able to find support from some experts as well.
Namely, a recent meta-analysis that aimed to discover the answer to this very question that troubles us (or at least me) found that pasta does not compromise the loss of weight during the low-GI diet. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Pasta aided the loss of body weight and reduction of BMI.
The research exhibited that pasta, as a part of a low-GI diet, additionally reduced body weight by 0.5 to 1.38 pounds. This is due to the pasta’s lower glycemic response which owes to the process techniques used when it is made. Pasta’s compact structure slows down the starch absorption and keeps you satiated for longer.
That might not seem like much, but at least it shows that pasta will not cause weight gain as it is often believed. It is a surprising finding for a lot of people, even many of my colleagues, but I just see it as good news!
Of course, you should not read this and gorge yourself on pasta with calorie-packed cheese topping or heavy sauces. Remember that pasta can help you lose or maintain weight only as of the part of an overall healthy, low-glycemic index diet.
You, therefore, need to choose sprouted whole grain pasta, limit yourself to one cup of cooked pasta per serving and combine it with vegetables. It is also desirable to eat your pasta Al Dente, as such pasta impacts the blood sugar levels more slowly than mushy, overcooked pasta.
Pasta has always been a part of the Mediterranean Diet, which is deemed one of the best in the world. This diet is known to aid in the prevention of not only obesity but also numerous cardiovascular diseases, depression, diabetes, asthma, dementia, as well as some forms of cancer such as breast and colorectal cancer.
Good news for my fellow pasta-lovers, don’t you think so? 🙂
Bonus: Jack’s Healthy Low-Fat Pasta Recipe
Now that you know there is no need to be guilt-ridden when eating pasta, you can try one of my favorite recipes and enjoy it guilt-free!
You will need
- 300g of whole grain pasta (preferably short)
- 200g of prawns (pre-cooked and halved)
- Broccoli ( I use one pack of frozen broccoli, but you can use fresh broccoli head and cut it into small florets)
- 3 tablespoons of double cream
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
How to prepare
- Cook the pasta as usual. Remember to make it all dente.
- By the end of the cooking, add the broccoli and leave it to cook together for about three minutes more.
- Drain, return into the pan, and place on low heat.
- Gently stir in the double cream, prawns, and lemon juice.
- Season to your taste.
- Serve while it is still hot! Enjoy!
More Pasta Recipes: Try Delicious Better than a bolognese recipe and Delicious Tuna Pasta Recipe!
How Long Does Pasta Last?
Now that you know pasta is good for you, and you have my great recipe at hand, you are sure to cook pasta more often. However, if you are very busy, you will want to know how long does pasta last in the fridge so that you can safely store it and enjoy it in the future without having to go through the tiresome cooking process once again.
How long does dried pasta last?
- Dried pasta comes in many forms from macaroni to spaghetti, but it is always made from the same ingredients – water and flour. Most people buy dried pasta in the stores, and it is clearly labeled with a best-by date.
- In general, dried pasta can last from one to two years from the production date. As the expiration date set by the manufacturer represents how long the manufacturer vouches for the product’s safety, you can usually safely consume the pasta at least one month beyond that date. Use your common sense though!
- It is also important to store dried pasta correctly – in a dry and cool place of course! The great way to keep it is in its original packaging and in your pantry. If you open the package and do not cook all the pasta at once, re-seal the opened package the best you can and store it in the same way.
How long does fresh pasta last?
- Fresh pasta can be bought in a refrigerator section of some stores, but you can also make it at home (with a bit of skill and the right equipment, of course). Besides flour and water, it usually contains eggs as well which makes it a bit trickier to store.
- The shelf life of fresh past will depend on more than one factor including how and when it was prepared and how it has been stored up to the moment you have bought it or decided to use it.
- Normally, it has to be kept refrigerated at all times and can last up to five days stored in this way. If you choose to freeze it, you should best use it within six following months.
How long does cooked pasta last?
- When cooked, pasta needs to be refrigerated or frozen. I am not a great fan of the latter option, so I stick to storing my cooked pasta in the fridge. So, the main question for me is how long does pasta last in the fridge?
- If you store it properly – meaning in an air-tight container that will keep the moisture out, you can keep the pasta refrigerator for up to a week. This goes for pasta only, but if you have already topped it or mixed it with other ingredients, it will last you as long as the quickest expiring ingredient you have used for its preparation.
- If you freeze it, you can eat it within the next eight months, but do not expect it to taste the same as fresh as it tends to dry out when frozen for long. To avoid pasta becoming mushy when you thaw it, you should store it completely cold and in a safe freezer container that closes tight.
You should also read our Food Storing Guide!
How to Avoid Eating Bad Pasta?
Foodborne illnesses can cause you serious troubles, and therefore you need to put in some effort to avoid them whenever possible. Pasta is no exception, as it can go bad as any other dish you prepare. You must, therefore, practice proper hygiene and food safety techniques every time you cook pasta.
If you doubt that the pasta in front of you has gone bad, use your senses to determine if it is really the case. If it is discolored or appears dull or slimy – avoid it, it is sure to develop mold soon. Better be safe than sorry, and when in doubt best skip the meal and avoid health risks.
Final Thoughts
I am already mouth-watering, so I’ll keep it short! Pasta is tasty and good for you, but you need to practice proper food storage techniques to keep it healthy. The good news is that food storage reduces food costs and helps preserve the environment by cutting down waste too.
Spread the word and help clear the pasta’s name, but also share your thoughts or advice, please! Good pasta recipes are welcomed as well!
Resources: